ETBU Debate Takes Top Spots at Oregon Tournament

MARSHALL, Texas (2/25/13)- The East Texas Baptist University Debate Team traveled to the Oregon State University speech and debate tournament February 23 and 24 and came away with many top awards. Fifteen different universities, primarily from Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, participated in the weekend event.

Dakota Hiltzman and Heather DeVille won first and second place respectively in the Novice Extemporaneous Speaking competition. Neither had ever competed in the event at a collegiate tournament. The duo bested the other 37 students entered in the event to come away with the two top spots.

Tania Albuja compiled a 4-1 preliminary record in the debate competition and advanced to elimination rounds. She won her first elimination round and finished the competition as a Silver Medalist. Albuja also was the fourth place Novice speaker out of 55 Novice debaters.

DeVille compiled a perfect 5-0 record in preliminary rounds in the 75-competitor Varsity Division. She too won her first elimination round and advanced to the Gold Medal Round where she won claiming a top prize in the debate competition. DeVille was named the winner on 10 of 11 ballots cast in rounds in which she competed for the competition.

Other ETBU debaters competing in the weekend events included Hiltzman and Ryan Stokes. Stokes finished the tournament with a 3-2 record and just missed qualifying for the elimination rounds.

"I could not be prouder of this group," said Dr. Cole Franklin, coach of the ETBU squad. "They came into an unfamiliar environment, competing against opponents they had never faced before, and won the top awards in debate and individual events competitions. They represented the university very well and earned the respect of students and faculty of the universities represented at the tournament. They served as outstanding delegates for ETBU."

The ETBU team will have a one-week break from competition before competing next at a two-tournament swing event hosted by Lee College and Stephen F. Austin State University March 8-10 on the SFA campus. For more information on the ETBU Debate Team contact Cole Franklin at 903-923-2288 or email cfranklin@etbu.edu.